Walking New Zealand September 2023

An experience that combines riding a bike around ‘plains game’ with more traditional wildlife spotting by vehicle in South Africa is now being offered by Cycling Europe. Director Jill Grant says 2024 dates and prices for the Cycle Safari product are on the company's website. A 10-day, nine-night guided safari departs from Johannesburg, Gauteng and takes clients through the Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces in the northeastern part of South Africa. It visits Kruger National Park, the dramatic Blyde River Canyon with the Three Rondavels and Bourke's Luck Potholes, among the highlights. The tour is designed to experience this diverse region, its culture, nature, activities, attractions, cuisine and the local population so it gives guests more than a safari. To complete the cycle safari experience, Cycling Europe offers add ons of…

Visitors to Australia's Coral Coast between now and early October will see some of Western Australia's most stunning displays of wildflowers. Many species can be found throughout Wildflower Country, while biodiversity hotspot Coalseam Conservation Park is home to spectacular pink, gold, cream and white everlasting flowers that burst into bloom each season. Places such as Lesueur National Park, Cape Range National Park and the Shark Bay World Heritage Area have wildflowers blooming all year.…

Tiny Away has added six new houses across Australia. Each tiny house offers hot showers, air conditioning, a queen bed, and a kitchenette. The sustainably built houses are typically positioned on farms or remote rural properties, and hosts offer activities that give guests a taste of rural life. Jeff Yeo, co-founder of Tiny Away says Tiny House stays are becoming a growing tourism movement around the world – especially in Australia and New Zealand where low-impact tourism is increasingly valued by travellers. The new additions are in New South Wales – Kawal Tiny House, Wollombi and Valley Escape, Rothbury (both Hunter Valley), Stylish Country Retreat, Moorland (Mid-North Coast); in Queensland – Fig Tree Cottage, Darlington (Scenic Rim), Noosa Tiny Home, Cooroibah (Noosa Shire); and in Tasmania – Pirates Retreat, Eaglehawk…

Walk talk Located halfway up the east shore of Lake Ōhau on the access road to the Dobson Valley, Greta Lodge was originally built as a cook house for road workers. Mackenzie District Council is interested in establishing a long-term pepper-corn lease with a club or community group to manage and maintain the hut. The age of the hut means there is a historical significance, however, the site is not listed as a heritage building. The hut has a bunk bed and a queen bed, but historically used to have space to sleep six people. The hut is in some disrepair and needs work to become more watertight and to prevent damage. Clubs interested in applying for a lease to manage the hut, can read more on the Mackenzie District…

Intrepid Travel has developed a new section of the Quarry Trail, previously unseen by travellers, through a collaboration with a local Peruvian community,. Over the last few years, the 26-kilometre Quarry Trail in the Andes Mountain region of Peru has gained recognition as an off-the-beaten-path alternative to the Inca Trail, ending at Machu Picchu. The trail begins in the town of Ollantaytambo and winds through the high peaks and villages of the Sacred Valley. Featured on a range of Intrepid Peru itineraries for 2024, the four day Quarry Trail experience will now begin with a 15-minute climb to Qory Sonq´o hill, where travellers can simultaneously take in views of three valleys: Soqma Perolniyoc, Pachar and Huarocondo, and discover skeletal remains and original tomb structures dating back hundreds of years. For…

A running event with categories and course to suit most levels of fitness is to be held in the Cook Islands next year.. The BSP Aitutaki Marathon Pursuit in Paradise offers a full 42.2 kilometre course to test both the mental and physical strength of athletes, but the event also has 10km and 21.1km ‘beginner runner’ courses. Alana Eli, New Zealand and Australia market representative for Destination Management Cook Islands (DMCK) says the Pursuit in Paradise is quickly gaining international recognition as a must-do running event. ‘The courses criss-cross the island take in the lush interior as well as hilltop views of the lagoon,’ Eli adds. The 2024 BSP Aitutaki Marathon will be run on Tuesday 30 April 2024 followed by the community 5km fun run on the Aitutaki Airport…